Vermeulen, known for his wet weather prowess, has four years previous experience in MotoGP with the Suzuki factory team from 2006 until 2009, during which he achieved three pole positions, and took Suzuki’s only premier-class four-stroke win at Le Mans in 2007.
Edwards, who broke his left collarbone during a crash in Estoril qualifying last weekend, has left the Instituto Unversitario DEXEUS in Barcelona after successful surgery, and is on his way home to the USA. His consulting surgeon Doctor Javier Mir has advised him to not race again until the Catalunya Grad Prix (1st to 3rd June). This is in part due to the American having broken the same bone four times before, meaning that the recovery should not be rushed. He will begin physical therapy in about a week.
Chris Vermeulen
“First of all I would like to wish Colin a speedy recovery. I am grateful to have the opportunity to race back in MotoGP with the NGM Mobile Forward Racing team. I am looking forward to my first time on the bike being at Le Mans, a circuit that holds great memories for me including a Victory in 2007. I am excited to be racing at the top level of motorcycling again and look forward to working with the team.”
Marco Curioni – Managing Director
“In this unfortunate situation that sees Colin Edwards unable to race until the Catalunya GP, we take the opportunity to involve Chris Vermeulen in the team for the Le Mans GP. Several members of the team have previously worked with him and I believe that Chris will immediately find a good feeling with the team. Vermeulen is an expert rider in MotoGP with experience working with the electronics and the correct use of the tires, which are two areas in which we are currently working. Chris has previously won at Le Mans and knows the track well. I would like to wish Chris good luck and send all my best wishes for a quick recovery to Colin, who is on his way back home.”
Source: http://www.motogp.com